Valentine Heart-Attack

I've been promising Savannah that she could cut out hearts for Valentine's Day decorations. Yesterday she was in heaven. I drew the hearts and she cut and colored them. Dallin even joined in when he came home for lunch...When Zach got home he was so excited. This kid loves to do art projects, and also fill up our wall space with it. He and Savannah sat together for 2 HOURS straight. He would cut and draw a pattern and then sit there while Savannah colored it in. Then he would do another one...one at a time. Two solid hours of them not fighting at all...it was bliss.

Zach loves it when I let him decorate this massive, blank wall in the kitchen...

Lots of lovin'...at least for 2 hours.

See ya later pacifiers!

I've been wanting to take away Connor's pacifier for months now. But there was always something...going on vacation, being sick, etc. This week I'd been debating which day to start. Well last night Connor went to bed but was just talking in his crib. I figured he wasn't tired yet and got him back out. Biggest mistake of my life. He cried all night long and wanted to watch T.V. or have us hold him. Once we figured out that's all it was we just left him in his crib. And he cried. And cried. And cried. This has happened before.

I went in to his room the first few times and gave him his pacifier, which he immediately threw on the floor. This morning I decided they were gone. He suffered through the whole night without it anyway, so now is as good as time as any. Naptime has not really happened today. I think he slept for a few minutes in between the shouts of "Ire! Ire! Out! Out!" Ire = Pacifier

It's gonna be a long few days (and nights), but I'm actually happy to finally be getting it over with.

Family Fitness & Fine Arts

On Monday for FHE we went to the school for Family Fitness & Fine Arts night. We got to meet the boys' art, music, and P.E. teachers (although they don't call it P.E. - it's called "Wellness"). Dallin took Zach & Savannah with the kindergartners and Connor and I went with Jacob. The P.E. section was definitely the most fun. We had a blast and I'm so sad I didn't have my camera...for things like Connor trying to jump rope and hula-hoop. They had plasma cars, which were by far Savannah's favorite thing. It goes forward when you move the steering thing back and forth.

In art we learned how to draw hearts for Valentine's Day. Connor didn't last too long in music. After the opening dancing around and singing they wanted us to be quiet and listen...by then it was Connor's bedtime. So we met up with the others back at the gym. It was a fun time!

Saturday morning Star Wars battle

This morning Zach decided to make a starship out of our couch and the laundry basket (the cockpit). It had lasers and everything. He was nice enough to let Savannah be the co-pilot. A few minutes later I heard Dallin in there leading them on missions to get the Empire...

Snowman!

No, it didn't snow enough for a snowman. We've actually had nice weather this week. On Wednesday we had Savannah's music class at our house. For the craft we made snowman faces and then sang snowman songs. She loved using all pink and purple buttons...of course. She named it "Savannah Snowman."

Dino Pit

Today the kids and I went to the Austin Nature & Science Center. We hadn't been for a few months and I've been promising them we'd go. They had a great time, especially in the nice weather we've been having this week.

Jacob & Savannah convincing Connor to enter the little cave...

Playing by the little creek

This was Connor's first time being able to play in the dino pit. The last time we went he was still confined to his stroller. He had a blast running all around in the sand and trying to dig. He loves to mimic Jacob in everything he does...

Jacob is very serious about his digging and gets a little frustrated when the other kids don't want to search for fossils...

Lovin' life!A sand fort, complete with moat and a drawbridge...Savannah immediately claimed the pink shovel...Then we visited the animals...this is a rabbit I think. The raccoon was terrified of the kids.

We've been saving things from nature that the kids find interesting (snake skin, seashells, acorn top, etc.). They can give it to this lady and tell her what they know about it. She awards them points and they can pick out something else. Jacob got some volcanic rock, Zach a new seashell, and Savannah a pink rock.

The end of the year...

I thought I'd do a little year-end update on each of the kids for our journal...

Jacob is 7. He's excited to be baptized this next year and start cub scouts. He loves to play the computer, read books (especially Star Wars), play with Zach and other friends, and go to the park. Jacob is a great help to me and the best big brother. He is a wonderful example to his siblings.

Zach is 6. He loves to share things and has a big heart...when he wants. This is his favorite spot...leaning over the back of Dallin, while Dallin is playing Star Wars on the computer with Jacob. Zach loves kindergarten, especially recess. He is an excellent runner and has tons of stamina for a kid. Zach is learning to read and loves playing computer for his new Webkinz.

Savannah is 3. She is the little Mommy of our house and at nursery. She is VERY excited to be a Sunbeam in primary this week. She loves to play with Connor (it helps that he usually does what she wants) and I often find her giving him hugs and kisses for no reason. She loves to play with friends and with her all of her animals. She loves to accesorize with jewelry and is a cute little girly girl.

Connor is 23 months almost. He is a sweet little guy and very fun to have around. Connor likes to color, play with noisy things, and look at books. Dora is his favorite thing in the world, other than playing outside. He would live in the backyard if I'd let him. Connor has been a little slower talking and is finally starting to communicate better (which is nice for all of us). His favorite words are "Yeah!" and "Buh-Bye!!!" He's just starting to learn shapes and naming things much more...star, train, duck (any bird), etc. Here are some phrases that he uses tons:
"All done" = I'm done eating; My show is done; I don't want to eat that; Leave me alone
"Uh-oh" = Something fell down; I'm stinky; The TV won't work
"Uh muh" = I want milk

New Year's!

Happy New Year! We had a movie night with the kids last night for New Year's and watched Star Wars the Clone Wars. The kids were so cranky when it finished at 9:00pm. When I told Jacob it wouldn't be the new year for 3 more hours he said "I don't know why people want to stay up...they should just go to sleep. They need their sleep." I went to bed by 11:00 and I have no clue if Dallin stayed up. Such is the party scene at our house.

Dallin went back to work on Monday but had today off. The kids and I have been on walks and to the park and such. Jacob is ready to go back to school...boredom is setting in. Even with fun new toys. Connor is finally feeling a little better and sleeping better too. Yeah!